Go beyond stocks and bonds with business lending and other non-traditional asset classes

Alternative investments defined for modern investors

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Why alternative investments matter in 2026

Traditional portfolios often concentrate risk in public markets. Alternative investments let you spread capital across different asset types, geographies, and borrower profiles for better diversification

€144.1M+Total Funded

Target returns up to 16.5% per year on Maclear

€13.1M+Interest paid

Minimum investment starting from just €50

2.1K+Funded projects

Interest paid monthly on business loan investments

52.4K+Registered investors

Collateralized loans with internal scoring from AAA to D

€2.0M +Provision Fund

Diversify across SME borrowers in multiple EU markets

Swiss P2P investment platform Maclear — alternative investments definition

Investors receiving payouts

Investors who received at least one interest payment each month.

Growth in investors receiving monthly interest
+173% growth since July 2025
Maclear investors receiving monthly interest — alternative investments definition

What investors say about Maclear

How alternative investments work on Maclear

From definition to action — here is what happens behind the scenes

01

Business loans as an asset class

Alternative investments include anything outside traditional stocks and bonds. Alternative investment management here requires no fund manager. On Maclear, that means investing in assigned loan claims tied to vetted business borrowers across Europe.

You buy assigned loan claims, not direct loans. The investing basics behind P2P lending are explained separately. Maclear handles origination, screening, and servicing on your behalf.

02

Borrower screening and risk grading

Every borrower goes through internal checks and scoring

Maclear rates each project on an internal AAA-D scale. This is a risk assessment tool, not a repayment guarantee.

03

Collateral backs every loan

Lower loan-to-value ratios offer more cushion if things go wrong

Each project is collateralized. Lower LTV provides more borrower-difficulty protection, while higher LTV means greater risk and interest rates.

04

Monthly interest, principal at term end

Cash flow is structured so you receive returns regularly

Monthly interest payments provide steady income. Principal returns at maturity, keeping your capital fully invested throughout the term.

05

Provision fund for temporary delays

A shared reserve that may absorb some short-term disruptions

The Provision Fund ensures timely interest during short delays but doesn't guarantee complete repayment or act as insurance.

06

Capital is always at risk

No alternative investment is free from the possibility of loss

Loans may default, liquidity can be restricted, and you could lose some or all invested funds. Know the risks before committing.

Why consider alternatives beyond traditional markets

Alternative investments can add diversification, different return drivers, and exposure to real-economy borrowers that public markets do not offer

0% Diversify away from stock market volatility

No fees for deposits, investments or withdrawals.

28,003 +Access returns tied to real business activity

A growing community built around transparent investing.

€1,712 +Spread capital across geographies and sectors

Average amount invested by active users each month.

€139 +Start small with a €50 minimum investment

Average interest paid to active investors each month.

Let the auto-invest tool do the picking

Try auto-invest

Try auto-invest
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Maclear auto-invest — alternative investments definition

Explore current business loan opportunities

Browse vetted projects from SMEs across Europe, each scored on the internal AAA-D risk scale with full loan details visible.

Investment calculator and interest simulator — alternative investments definition

Investment Calculator

Promotions

Loyalty bonus Maclear loyalty bonus — more information

Future value in 6 years€8000
Start with €50
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Average annual return17.6%

Earned return€460

Estimated returns based on target rate of 14.6% APY. Actual returns may vary. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Tools that keep you informed and in control

Transparency and oversight built into every step of investing

Real-time portfolio dashboard

Track your investments, earned interest, and upcoming repayments in one clear overview updated in real time.

Internal AAA-D borrower scoring

Each loan carries an internal risk grade so you can match projects to your own risk appetite before investing.

Detailed project pages

Every listing shows the borrower profile, collateral type, LTV ratio, loan term, and expected return before you commit.

Monthly interest statements

Receive clear records of interest received each month. Useful for your own bookkeeping and annual tax reporting.

Withdrawal requests anytime

You can request a withdrawal of uninvested funds from your balance. Invested capital is locked until the loan term ends.

Diversification across multiple loans

Spread your capital across many borrowers, countries, and sectors to reduce the impact of any single default on your portfolio.

Alternative investments in the European lending market

EU crowdlending connects investors in Western and Northern Europe with SME borrowers in Eastern and Central Europe, creating opportunities that sit outside traditional public markets

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Maclear secondary market, early liquidity — alternative investments definition

Maclear in numbers as of 2026

A growing community of EU and EEA investors uses Maclear to access alternative investments through business lending, with target returns up to 16.5% per year

€12M +Secondary Market volume

Target returns up to 16.5% per year before defaults and taxes

9,308 +Secondary Market participants

€50 minimum to begin investing in business loans

How to start investing in three steps

From sign-up to your first alternative investment in minutes

Create your account and get verified

Create your free Maclear account

Register online with your details and complete verification

Fund your investment balance in euros

Fund your investment balance

Transfer euros from your bank — minimum €50

Pick loans and invest from €50

Pick loans or activate auto-invest

Choose individual projects or set automatic criteria

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How to start investing on Maclear in three steps — alternative investments definition
Maclear loyalty rewards for investors — alternative investments definition

Loyalty programme for active investors

The more you invest and the longer you stay, the more benefits you can access through the Maclear loyalty tiers

Bonus interest for higher invested volumes

Tier upgrades based on invested amount

Higher tiers unlock better terms and priority access

Tiered rewards for active investors

Bonus interest on qualifying loans

Loyalty members may earn additional interest on select projects

Loyalty benefits applied automatically

Early access to new listings

Top-tier investors can review projects before general release

Transparent tier structure in the investor dashboard

Dedicated support for higher tiers

Priority responses and personal account guidance when needed

Community of European investors on Maclear — alternative investments definition

Join a growing community of European investors

What Maclear actually is and does

Maclear AG is a Swiss crowdlending platform linking EU and EEA investors with verified business borrowers through assigned loan claims. Maclear isn't a bank and doesn't provide deposit insurance or personalized investment advice.

Maclear founding team — Swiss P2P/P2B crowdlending platform
Transparency and risk in P2P investing — alternative investments definition

How Maclear handles transparency and risk

Each Maclear loan is collateralized and rated AAA-D internally. Returns vary by loan and borrower risk, targeting up to 16.5% annually. Capital is at risk—loans may default, liquidity may be limited, and investors could lose some or all invested funds. Maclear offers no tax advice; treatment depends on your residence and circumstances.

  • Internal AAA-D risk grading for every borrower
  • Collateral required on all funded projects
  • Provision fund — a shared reserve, not insurance
  • Monthly interest, principal repaid at loan term end
  • No deposit insurance on investor balances
  • Annual statements available for your tax reporting

Collateral and Provision Fund reduce but do not eliminate riskCollateral and the Provision Fund help reduce certain risks, but do not eliminate investment risk.

FAQ — alternative investments definition

Common questions about alternative investments on Maclear

Alternative investments are assets outside traditional stocks and bonds, such as business loans, real estate, and commodities. They offer diversification and exposure to different market segments, geographies, and borrower profiles beyond conventional public markets.

Investors purchase assigned loan claims tied to vetted business borrowers. The platform handles origination, screening, and loan servicing while investors receive monthly interest payments and principal repayment at term end.

Traditional portfolios concentrate risk in public markets, making them vulnerable to systemic shocks. Alternatives spread capital across different asset types, geographies, and borrower profiles to reduce overall portfolio risk.

Business loan investments on peer-to-peer platforms can target returns up to 16.5% annually, depending on borrower credit quality and loan terms. Actual returns vary based on risk rating, collateralization, and loan-to-value ratios.

Entry barriers are low, with minimum investments starting from just €50. This allows retail investors to build diversified portfolios without large upfront capital commitments.

Every borrower undergoes internal risk assessment and receives a grade on an AAA-D scale. This rating reflects credit quality and repayment capacity, though ratings are assessment tools rather than guarantees.

All loans on the platform are collateralized to provide investor protection. Lower loan-to-value ratios offer greater cushion if borrowers encounter difficulty, while higher LTV structures can yield higher returns with increased risk.

Interest payments are made monthly, providing regular cash flow to investors. Principal repayment occurs at the end of the loan term, creating predictable income streams.

Yes, the platform connects investors with vetted small and medium-sized enterprises across multiple European markets. Geographic diversification reduces concentration risk and exposes portfolios to varied economic conditions.

Investors buy assigned loan claims rather than making direct loans to borrowers. This means the platform assumes origination, underwriting, and ongoing servicing responsibilities on behalf of investors.

Higher-rated borrowers (AAA-A) typically offer lower yields with reduced default risk, while lower-rated borrowers (B-D) offer higher potential returns to compensate for increased risk. Investors must balance yield expectations against acceptable risk levels.

Collateral backing the loan provides the first line of defense against loss. Lower loan-to-value ratios mean collateral value exceeds the loan amount, offering protection. Higher LTV loans carry greater default risk.

Alternative investments work best as portfolio complements rather than replacements for traditional assets. Investors should assess their risk tolerance, investment timeline, and liquidity needs before allocating capital to business loans or other non-traditional assets.

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